Hiking to Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Above: Angels Landing rises 1500 feet above the Zion Canyon floor. Below: The view from the top.


I figured it was time to get out of the studio and fill the creative bucket, so I spent the day today in Zion National Park. I had in mind to get "above it all" with a hike to Angels Landing. It's not a long hike but takes about 4 hours round trip. It was 28 degrees when I parked my truck and took the canyon shuttle to the Grotto. But things warmed up considerably as I started up the switchbacks that led to Refrigerator Canyon. The leaves still haven't turned yet, but there was enough color to add drama to the scene.

A series of 21 switchbacks called "Walters Wiggles" made my legs burn and my lungs ache by the time I leveled off at Scout Lookout. Here things get interesting with a Class 3 scramble assisted by well-placed chains across a narrow 3 foot wide passage with 1500-foot drop offs on BOTH sides. Not for the faint of heart, but it was all worth it as an incredible view opened up on both sides of the canyon from the small perch at the top.


What a place to relax and enjoy my baloney sandwich while taking in the view and the crisp wind. I ignored the hopeful appeal for a handout from the resident chipmunks, but couldn't ignore the two huge Condors that appeared with a rush of wind and soared on their huge wings right past the peak. Finally I started down the chains and worked my way back to civilization. Now that's the way to spend a day!

You're Invited to My Art Show featuring New Paintings from England and Europe

"Village in Kent" a watercolor painting by Roland Lee which will be in the upcoming one-man-show at Mission Gallery November 6, 2008

I will be presenting a One-man-show at the Mission Gallery during the month of November, and you are invited. You can download an invitation here or go to my website for complete information. I will be presenting my new paintings of England and Europe, along with my travel sketchbooks. I will also give an art talk about our travels and the new paintings at 7 p.m. on Thursday November 6, 2008. An Artists reception will be held the same evening from 6 - 9pm at the Tower Building in Historic Ancestor Square next to the Painted Pony Restaurant. For the remainder of November the Art show will move to the Mission Gallery at 173 North main, St. George, Utah. For more information call Jane Juber at the Mission Gallery 435-688-7278.

Download an invitation (pdf)

A trip to Zion National Park, and a Visit to my Studio

I had a nice visit at my studio this morning with three nice ladies spending the weekend at Zion National Park. Theresa, Brenda, and Linda were visiting from northern Utah, basking in the warm sun and cool canyons of Zion. While there they purchased a "Century of Sanctuary" book and one of my Zion prints at the ZNHA bookstore. They also enjoyed the Zion Centennial art show at the St. George Art Museum where they saw my original painting of Zion's West Temple. It's always fun to meet those who appreciate my work.

New Watercolor Painting of Historic Bloomington Schoolhouse

Historic Bloomington School House
22 x 30 Watercolor by Roland Lee

All that remains of this old school house in Bloomington, Utah is the foundation. But using a few old photos and interviewing some descendents of early teachers, I was able to re-construct this wonderful brick building. The structure was used as both a church and schoolhouse, as well as a community center between 1879 and 1929. I wanted to put life back into the building by adding the figures in the painting. At the doorway is the school teacher greeting a young girl (notice the flower behind her back for the teacher.) Two brothers walk down the lane on their way to another school day. Jeff and Connie Morby, early residents of the modern community of Bloomington, own the land where the foundation sits, and also purchased this painting.

See step by step watercolor painting lesson on this painting

Roland Lee Featured in Documentary Film on Zion National Park Centennial

Above: Motion Picture producer Phil Tuckett and crew record Lyman Hafen and Deborah Reeder discussing the paintings in the Zion Centennial Art Exhibit at the St. George Art Museum.

Renowned film maker, Phil Tuckett, and an advanced film production class from Dixie State College are producing a new documentary film spotlighting the Centennial of Zion National Park. They interviewed Lyman Hafen and Deborah Reeder at the St. George Art Museum talking about the contemporary Zion paintings currently on display with "A Century of Sanctuary, the Art of Zion National Park." Then Tuckett conducted an on-camera interview with me upstairs in the historic art exhibit, talking about my own experiences painting Zion over the past 30 years. I was uncomfortable about being on camera, but never have trouble talking about Zion National Park. They will film more footage on location in Zion National Park as I conduct a workshop there in November.

Last weekend rain, this weekend snow!

Over the weekend we travelled up north to visit my kids and be present for the blessing of Jon and Jolynn's new baby Dallin. It was fun to get the families together for good times and good food. Unfortunately the weather turned very cold and we awoke Sunday morning to a dusting of snow everywhere. I took a little walk and used my macro lens to shoot a few close-ups of the snow and ice on flowers and pine needles.



Below: My two sons, and grandson Dallin James Lee before the baby blessing. My oldest son Jim, on the right, and second son Jonathan, middle holding little Dallin. I'm the old guy on the left.

A Rainy Weekend at our Cabin with the Grandkids

With rain falling, and the forecast of more for the weekend, we headed up the slippery roads to our cabin at Zion National Park. We accompanied my daughter Jennie, her husband Jason, and grandkids Emma, Ellie, and Joshua who would not be denied their three-day vacation by the threat of foul weather. The slick muddy roads gave their mini van a little trouble, but we made it to the cabin in time to get the wood stove fired up and make our cosy beds. The unusually crisp air and the sounds of gentle rain dripping from the pine needles made for perfect sleeping as we snuggled into our beds.



After a wet night, the dawn broke to a thin fog which veiled the pine trees around the cabins. It wasn't long however, til the haze broke up allowing the morning rays of sunlight to sparkle like diamonds on the wet leaves. Jennie cooked up a delicious cabin breakfast of deli bacon, fried eggs, toast and hot chocolate which got the day started in fine form.

Jason set up his hammock, I strung up my sky chair, Nellie found a comfortable lounge chair, and the grandkids busied themselves in fun craft projects as we lazied our way through the day.

Jennie, Jason, Emma, Ellie, and Josh on the big swing





The oak leaves are starting to turn, but we're still several weeks away from the real show of color in Zion.

October Watercolor Painting Class

The watercolor painting class was small, but the work was powerful. I was very impressed with this group of artists. We were able to concentrate heavily on critical elements of learning to see and understand the landscape. We especially delved into the watercolor techniques of Negative Painting to paint trees, shrubs, and grasses. I was impressed with their value study drawings and finished paintings. Class members included Shari Cannon, Vicki Clayton, Gail Alger and Patsy Dayley.

Shari Cannon

Vicki Clayton

Patsy Dayley

Gail Alger

Artists in Residence for a Day Painting in Zion National Park

Artists in Zion: (Front) Doug Yirka, John Mangels. Middle: Lola Krummenacher, Eve Armsen, Barbara Jones, Dick Rose, Vanessa McCullough, Sandra Feldman. Back: Myron Laub. Not pictured: Annie Barber, Jan Hansen.

Left: Myron Laub. Left below: John Mangels

Our third workshop day was held in Zion National Park. The day was gorgeous, and all of us felt excitement well up as we stepped off the shuttle bus for our first stop at Court of the Patriarchs. Sketchbooks came out and in minutes everyone was working on pencil drawings of the light and shadow on the towering cliffs above us. We then moved on up the canyon to the Temple of Sinawava where we all dispersed to find painting locations. While the artists painted, I grabbed a few sketches of my own then worked my way upriver and downriver trying to give encouragement. Not much was needed, as everyone seemed to find great vistas and got right to work on their watercolor paintings. The combination of enthusiasm, energy, perfect weather and stellar subject matter sucked us into its spell and rewarded us with an almost magical day in Zion.

Left: "Rock" star Doug Yirka

When I got back upriver to check on the little enclave of artists painting the mouth of the Zion Narrows I found they were surrounded by a busload of tourists taking pictures of them. Ahh the joys of being famous artists. I snuck up on doug Yirka and said "Oooh are you an artist?" He'd heard that enough already.

Left: Sandra Feldman

As our painting day came to an end we all sat in front of the Zion Lodge where Sandra Feldman told us a little about the geology of Zion, and I explained more about the restoration of the old Grotto Museum into housing for the new Zion National Park "Artist in Residence" Program which begins this year.

Left: Eve Armsen

We concluded the day back in St. George at the monthly meeting of the Southern Utah Watercolor Society where our artists showed the sketches and paintings done during the workshop. A great time with some great artists! Thanks to all, especially SUWS president Dick Rose, for organizing this event.

Photos below. Top left: Barbara Jones. Top right: Vanessa McCullough. Middle left: Lola Krummenacher. Middle Right: Dick Rose. Bottom Left: Jan Hansen. Bottom Right: Annie Barber

Painting in Zion National Park

Art instructor Roland Lee with demonstration painting of Zion National Park at SUWS Watercolor Workshop


Artists John Mangels and Sandra Feldman working on their watercolor paintings during the workshop.

We just concluded our first two days of in-class studio work and today we are heading to Zion National Park for the final day of our "Painting Zion" watercolor workshop. Nothing is more fun than painting on location and one of my favorite locations is definitely Zion Canyon.